That sounds awful! I follow the rule, "when in doubt, throw it out!" Wow - you get lovely shine from the FSG.
I cannot use agave in summer because the humidity here makes my hair + agave super-soft. But I love it in drier-weather winter.
I like xanthan gum for a little more hold, bigger groups of curls. I'm working on an extra-thick FSG recipe with no added thickeners right now. It's in my hair today - and it's a fantastic hair day.

That sounds awful! I follow the rule, "when in doubt, throw it out!" Wow - you get lovely shine from the FSG.
I cannot use agave in summer because the humidity here makes my hair + agave super-soft. But I love it in drier-weather winter.
I like xanthan gum for a little more hold, bigger groups of curls. I'm working on an extra-thick FSG recipe with no added thickeners right now. It's in my hair today - and it's a fantastic hair day.

Those are chemicals added, what about natural antimicrobials like cinnamon?

Originally Posted by Ashleynicol

The reality is it's difficult to add enough of a wholefood like ground cinnamon to get the benefit, you really want to be using standardised extracts. If you are adding anything like oils or hydrolysed proteins or agave you are supplying additional 'food' to microbes: making a sterile product in a sterile container is the most important.

You might look at which preservatives companies like Weleda and Komaza Care use.

Some of the others have shared some good info about the need for sanitizing the equipment used in making this gel.

Lemon juice and/ or cinnamon are not going to keep your gel safe out on the counter. If you don't feel comfortable using 'chemicals' then make sure you just make small batches and keep it in the fridge.

Also, be careful about the cinnamon. I know it smells lovely, but it can be irritating on the skin and scalp when left on for long.

Some of the others have shared some good info about the need for sanitizing the equipment used in making this gel.

Lemon juice and/ or cinnamon are not going to keep your gel safe out on the counter. If you don't feel comfortable using 'chemicals' then make sure you just make small batches and keep it in the fridge.

Also, be careful about the cinnamon. I know it smells lovely, but it can be irritating on the skin and scalp when left on for long.

Originally Posted by Ceri

I dont want to keep it out on the counter. It was refrigerated both times.